Graduation announcement 2022

More than 400 degrees and certificates will be conferred at the 53rd annual Kankakee Community College commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14 in the George H. Ryan Gymnasium in the college's Activities Building.

“It means a lot to me,” said KCC graduate Margaret Corpening of Bradley. “When I first started back in the fall of 2014 I was so determined to achieve my associate’s.” Then Corpening’s father passed away. “I took four years off because I wasn't ready,” she said. “In 2019, I had my second child and realized that I need to set a better future for my kids. I know my dad would be proud of me taking this first leap towards my career. I stumbled and fell, but eventually got back up!”

A number of students, faculty and alumni accomplishments will be recognized.

The speaker will be a former president of the college, Larry Huffman, Ph.D. In all, Huffman worked at KCC for 24 years, first as executive vice president for academic programs & services. After serving for 14 years as KCC’s president, Huffman retired in March of 2001. He then worked in the private sector and at other colleges for several years. Huffman also served as interim-president at KCC for five months in 2009.

A native of the Spoon River area of west-central Illinois, Huffman chairs his former high school's educational foundation and funds college scholarships in memory of his parents there.

Two students will be honored as members of the All-Illinois Academic Team, a special recognition based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community. One honoree is Tess Coulter of St. Anne. She completed a KCC Associate in Arts transfer degree, including the General Education Core Credential, in December 2021. She is considering transfer options, and plans to study environmental science. The other All-Academic Team member, Mia Gasperini of Clifton, will receive an Associate in Arts transfer degree, including the General Education Core Credential, in May 2022. Next, she will attend the Governors State University in University Park to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

The KCC Outstanding Faculty Member Awards for 2022 will be presented to Anne Reilly (at right), professor in the Health Careers Division, and Dawn Muhammad, Ph.D., (at left) adjunct professor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Division.

The recipient of the John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award is the Honorable Michael Kick, retired chief judge of the 21^st Judicial Circuit, which includes Kankakee and Iroquois counties.

The ceremony will stream live on the commencement.kcc.edu website. Social media users can use #KCCgrad2022 to congratulate graduates.

The ceremony will last about 90 minutes. Wristbands given to graduates will be required for admission to the gymnasium. Seating will be available for guests without wristbands in nearby rooms where there will be a live videocast.

For guests needing assistance or special accommodations, entry will begin at 8:45 a.m. General seating begins at 9 a.m. Guests are asked not to bring balloons and other large items that could obstruct the view of others.

KCC is located at 100 College Drive in Kankakee, south of downtown Kankakee. Directions to KCC are at www.kcc.edu/about/#riverfront-campus.